Only three wins for the Hobart Hurricanes last season as they finished seventh in what was a disappointing season with a team that was destined to play finals.

Finals will be the aim once again for this season and the way to do that is to have a consistent season with the bat and ball.

Key Players – Australians

George Bailey – Bailey has been a consistent performer in limited over cricket since he made his ODI debut for Australia back in 2012. He has since cemented his spot for Australia in both ODI and T20 which show the quality he brings. He is more known for his stroke plays but when he needs to make runs quickly, he can provide that especially in the Twenty20 format. He has made 16 fifties in 132 innings with an average of 28.38 and a strike rate of 131.02. His stance is somewhat usual these days but he is still a great batsman that will play a key part for the Hurricanes chances this season.

Tim Paine – The wicket-keeper batsman has been a Twenty20 specialist for years. He opens the batting and has averaged 23.94 runs with a strike rate of 124.05 in 63 matches. Paine was touted as the next wicket-keeper to play in all forms of cricket for Australia earlier in his career but injury has ruined those opposites and now plays T20 for the Hurricanes and first class cricket for Tasmania. He is a good hitter of the ball and is consistent with his run scoring with 8 fifties in all T20 competitions thus far. Will need to see something similar this season to give his side a chance of gaining a finals spot.

Imports

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – Was a big recruit for the Hurricanes last season but was not at his best as he scored 105 with an average of just 13 runs. However, given Sangakkara’s class with the bat, we expect him to fire on many cylinders this season. Throughout his T20 career, he has averaged 29.18 with a strike rate of 126.13. When he bats, he hits with precision as he looks for gaps to hit in which end up going for four or six and plays cricket shots all around the ground which had made him a hard batsman to ball at. We will all be looking forward to seeing a superstar like Sangakkara make his mark in this season’s Big Bash tournament.

Stuart Broad (England) – The England fast bowler signed for this season’s Big Bash but not sure how much matches he will play. He is currently in India for a test series and if he does come to Australia, it probably won’t be until January. Broad has frightened many teams in his career which includes Australia where he took figures of 8/15 in the first innings at Trent Bridge in the last Ashes Series. He has claimed 75 wicket in 77 T20 matches with an average of 20 which shows his consistency at this format. If he does play, he will be a great signing for the Hurricanes and will provide experience to fellow pace bowlers.

Youngster

Beau Webster – The young all-rounder may have plenty of opportunity to make a name for himself in this season’s Big Bash. He has started well this season in the Sheffield Shield for Tasmania, scoring 308 with an average 44 which includes a century. The 23 year old has shown great potential with the bat in the middle order but can ball. He has claimed 7 wickets with his off spin bowling in first class cricket so far this season so he should be useful for the Hurricanes as an all-rounder. Webster is one of the emerging all-rounders and will be keen to see how he performs.

Prediction

It could well be another tough season for the Hurricanes. They have only signed Broad for this season and there are still doubts on whether he will play so their team is essentially the same as last season. The point that is in their favour is the fact Sangakkara did not perform with the bat last season and is due to make an impact this season. If the likes of Sangakkara, Bailey, Paine and Christian make runs for the team then they should give themselves every opportunity to make finals. Nevertheless, it will be difficult to see Hobart finish in the top 4 especially since other teams that are in the same boat boosting their squads.

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We may not play it, but we can talk about it- we’ll provide a different take on the world of sport.
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